Equal Access: How to Include Persons with Disabilities in Elections and Political Processes

Produced by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), this publication provides governments, civil society and the donor community with the tools and knowledge to promote the participation of persons with disabilities in elections and political processes.

Equal Access draws on international standards, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and presents four mutually reinforcing strategies to increase the political participation of persons with disabilities: 

• Empower persons with disabilities and disabled persons' organizations (DPOs) through trainings on technical elections issues as well as organizational and advocacy skills

• Support government institutions such as election management bodies and legislatures to create inclusive and accessible legal and regulatory frameworks

• Include DPOs in broad-based civil society coalitions, such as election monitoring groups

• Assist political parties to conduct meaningful outreach and encourage inclusion of persons with disabilities in leadership positions and as candidates